5 Dead After Offshore Helicopter Crashes During Medevac

Five Dead After Offshore Helicopter Crashes During Medevac

Five people were killed after their helicopter crashed into the sea during an offshore rescue operation.

The helicopter was sent out to medevac an offshore worker suffering from cardiac arrest on board the Amir Kabir offshore platform shortly before the tragedy unfolded.

The helicopter owned by the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), crashed into the Caspian Sea early Sunday off the coast of Behshahr City in the east of Mazandaran province in Iran.

Iran’s official IRNA news agency said the crash was caused by a technical malfunction. The news agency quoted a Behshahr governor Khalegh Sajadi as saying the helicopter “disappeared half a mile from the oil rig on its way back”.

The Amir Kabir Platform is located 137 air miles off the Iranian Coast and extracts oil from water depths of over 1,000 metres.

It is understood the victims all worked for NIOC subsidiary Khazar Oil Exploration & Production Company.

The patient, a health worker and three helicopter crew members lost their lives in the accident.

Air accidents are not uncommon in Iran, and are believed to be caused by poor maintenance and ageing aircraft.This is the second helicopter crash this year in Mazandaran; first was an emergency helicopter dispatched to an accident on the Haraz Road, crashed into high voltage power cables due to poor visibility caused by thick dust while it was trying to land.

Unite the union convey their deepest sympathy and condolences to all affected by this tragedy,another helicopter incident where oil workers have lost their lives or received injuries at work.

As you will all be aware the high standards of Health & Safety and procedures in the UKCS offshore Oil &Gas sector is no accident ! Offshore trade unions(OCG) are at the forefront to ensure the highest standards of training and health & Safety are undertaken by all who work and travel in helicopters and work with the stakeholders in the Industry to ensure the highest of standards are maintained.

Related Information

The Offshore Coordinating Group of offshore unions (UNITE, RMT, GMB, Nautilus International and BALPA) was launched in February 2016.

The aims and objectives of the Group are to:

• co-ordinate the recruitment and organisation of all employees in the offshore oil and gas industries and thereafter to seek recognition on their behalf.

• campaign to improve both the quality and security of employment in the offshore sector and the health, safety and wellbeing of all offshore workers.

• organise and pursue effective campaigns on issues identified by the Group in the interests of the offshore workforce.

• organise and articulate the collective trade union voice in strategic discussions with Government at all levels, regulators and employer organisations.